Saturday, August 19, 2017
Gold Coast Suns (4th) vs Sydney Swans (1st)
Metricon Stadium, 12pm
SUMMARY
The Gold Coast Suns have a mountain to climb for the second weekend in a row if they are to book a home Elimination Final, taking on de facto minor premiers the Sydney Swans this Saturday at Metricon Stadium. A blistering third quarter from the Suns last weekend, thanks largely to five goals from Jarrad Grant, saw them end a 10-match Lions winning streak and keep their hopes of a home final alive. Meanwhile, the Swans atoned for their Round 19 upset loss to Brisbane with a pulverising 127-point win over Redland at the SCG.
If the Suns can pull off an upset against the Swans they’ll be all but assured of a date with the NT Thunder at Metricon Stadium in week one of the finals. Both sides sit on 40 points, but the Suns vastly superior percentage makes it nigh impossible for the Thunder to jump them even if both sides win.
If the Suns lose, however, a very gettable win for the Thunder over Aspley at Graham Road will be enough to ensure the Suns travel to the Top End next week.
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
Round 15, 2017: Sydney Swans 21.10 (136) def Gold Coast Suns 4.5 (29) at the SCG
Round 9, 2017: Sydney Swans 16.24 (120) def Gold Coast Suns 4.8 (32) at Newcastle Oval
Round 16, 2016: Sydney Swans 26.14 (170) def Gold Coast Suns 7.4 (46) at Blacktown ISP
TALKING POINTS
1. The Suns have come into some form at the right time, winning their last four matches, including tough wins over the Lions and GIANTS and big wins against Redland and Southport. Their last loss was in Round 15 against the Swans, who they haven’t beaten in their last 12 attempts, dating back to 2013. A top-four finish for Gold Coast would not only give them confidence heading into finals, but it would be their best finish to a NEAFL season in six years. The Suns have only ever finished in the top four once – back in the inaugural 2011 NEAFL season when they came third.
2. Sydney bounced back in style last week after losing just their second match of the season against Brisbane a week prior. Just when it appeared there were chinks in Sydney’s armour, they found some ominous form against Redland, and will no doubt want to finish the regular season on a high before hosting an all-important home Preliminary Final.
3. When NEAFL MVP voting went dark in Round 16, the Suns’ Mitch Hallahan was fifth on 41 votes. In the five rounds since then he’s led the competition in disposals with 35 per game, and with fourth-placed teammate Darcy Macpherson spending the last month in the AFL, Hallahan could be a smoky for a late tilt at the title.
ROOKIE WATCH
The tall timber at the Gold Coast Suns has served them well this NEAFL season, with the likes of Dan Currie, Keegan Brooksby, Cameron Loersch Tom Nicholls all rotated through the ruck and forward line. Last week against the Lions, it was 18-year-old academy member Brayden Crossley who stepped up in to the No.1 ruck position. With 17 disposals, eight tackles, 22 hit-outs, five clearances and six inside 50s, Crossley totalled 106 fantasy points – ranking him in the top 10 players of the match. A star of the future indeed.
STATS THAT MATTER
If both sides are able to play their natural game, expect some free flowing footy. The Swans lead the competition for running bounces with 157, and the Suns are second on 138.
